Category: Hip Hop

YNW Melly is about to spend yet another year behind bars because his double murder retrial in Florida got pushed back again—this time all the way to September 2027.

That means he will have been locked up for nearly a decade without a final verdict over the deaths of his two YNW crew members.

A Broward County judge gave the green light on the new trial date during a recent hearing. The delays keep piling up thanks to legal appeals, evidence fights and a whole lot of courtroom chaos.

Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, got popped back in 2019 for allegedly killing YNW Juvy and YNW Sakchaser. Cops say he tried to make it all look like a drive-by, but the evidence told a different story.

There’s also been drama over witness tampering. Melly was hit with extra charges for allegedly trying to stop a key witness from testifying. Prosecutors claim he attempted to use gang ties to get it done.

The forensic evidence has been a big part of the case. Cops say the bullets came from inside the car, not outside. Autopsy reports, phone data and surveillance footage all reportedly place Melly in the car at the time of the shooting.

Oh and there’s also that social media message where he allegedly wrote, “I did that” with a smiley face emoji.

And now, instead of getting his day in court, YNW Melly is stuck waiting another three years.

The first trial ended in a mistrial in 2023 after the jury couldn’t agree on a verdict. It was deadlocked 9-3, leaning toward convicting him on lesser charges—not murder.

Prosecutors are still gunning for the death penalty, especially now that Florida lets an 8-4 jury vote send someone to death row.

Melly’s legal team is still fighting hard, challenging texts and calls the prosecutors want to use. They’re also waiting on appeals about how some of that evidence was collected.

Meanwhile, the judge has made it crystal clear—he wants this case moving, but there’s just too much legal mess slowing it down.

He’s been denied bond over and over and was recently moved to a new high-security lockup. On top of all this, he’s still dealing with other charges like drug possession and being a felon with a weapon.

Unless something changes fast, it’s looking like Melly’s gonna be in that cell for a long stretch before this trial even kicks off.

​AllHipHop

Damon Dash stirred controversy during a recent interview while promoting his rock album 365 by comparing his new artist to the late Aaliyah, which many found inappropriate and disrespectful.

While speaking with The Art of Dialogue, Dash introduced Nicolette, a member of his band Black Guns, and made a jarring comparison that quickly drew criticism online.

“She has her own solo albums as well, but she’s a big part of the Black Guns,” Dash said. “It’s funny because you know, to me, she’s like if Aaliyah was white. If Aaliyah was white, she’d be a lesbian. That’s her and she has the same everything,” he added, while opening Nicolette’s jacket to show her body.

Nicolette appeared visibly uncomfortable during the moment, looking confused as Dash continued to describe her contributions to the band. “She has a little bit of rhythm too,” he added. “But she can play instruments, and she writes and sings and she also did a lot of the administrative stuff with the album. So she helped me with my dream, and she earned her way into the band by working with the band.”

The reaction online was swift and critical. One viewer commented, “Shorty definitely ain’t no Aaliyah.”

Another said, “Calling that girl Aaliyah is crazy lmao.” A third added, “Kinda cringy… ‘she is Aaliyah if Aaliyah was white’ then he opens her jacket to show how her body is like Aaliyah’s.”

One person summed up the mood by writing, “That’s wild disrespectful to the Queen Aaliyah. Dame is my dogg but he’s gotta stop always talking about Aaliyah. Especially in that context. Let her rest.”

Dash’s remarks come as he promotes 365, a rock album created with Black Guns and rapper Freeway, marking a shift from his Hip-Hop background into rock territory.

Damon Dash and Aaliyah began dating in 2000 and remained together until her death in a plane crash in the Bahamas in August 2001.

​AllHipHop

Keefe D is fighting for his life in court and now his lawyers are teaming up with a Hip-Hop documentary legend to chronicle his trial for the murder of Tupac Shakur and – win or lose.

Duane “Keefe D” Davis’ legal team, Michael Pandullo and Robert Draskovich, are working with filmmaker Richard “RJ” Bond to film a no-holds-barred documentary about the wild ride that is Keefe’s case.

And they’re not sugarcoating anything. Whether Keefe walks or gets locked up, it’s all getting documented.

Keefe’s been locked up since getting hit with a murder charge in September 2023 for allegedly being the mastermind behind the drive-by that killed Tupac Shakur in 1996.

Cops say he called the shots after his nephew, Orlando Anderson, got into it with Tupac Shakur at the MGM Grand in Vegas.

Prosecutors claim Keefe confessed in interviews and in his book Compton Street Legend, but his lawyers say he was just storytelling and trying to sell books.

RJ Bond’s name carries weight in Hip-Hop true crime circles. He’s the guy behind Tupac: Cover-Up, the docuseries that digs into the shady aftermath of Tupac’s murder.

Now he’s back, rolling with the defense to show the world what’s really going on behind the scenes.

Draskovich, who’s repped everyone from outlaw bikers to Olympic champs, thinks this case is beatable. Pandullo, who’s been flipping verdicts and getting charges tossed since 2007, agrees.

Both lawyers say they’re not here for the drama—they’re here to win.

The documentary won’t be some puff piece. Bond said the goal is to keep it “unbiased” and capture the process. He’s known for calling out corruption and exposing cover-ups, so expect receipts.

Keefe D. pleaded not guilty and says he wasn’t even in Vegas when Shakur got hit.

Everyone else allegedly involved in the shooting is dead, so Keefe’s the only one left to take the fall.

The case has been dragging for decades. Now it’s finally heading to court and it’s all going on tape.

The trial’s been delayed to February 2026 because the defense says they’ve got new witnesses and evidence that could significantly impact the outcome.

​AllHipHop

Damon Dash is under fire after blowing off a court order while flexing about “lake life” and signing a “White Lesbian Aaliyah” to his label.

Filmmaker Josh Webber and Muddy Water Pictures are begging a federal judge to put Dash in cuffs after he skipped a court deadline tied to a $4 million judgment.

Instead of handing over the required documents, they say Damon Dash has been showing off on Instagram, bragging about his bucket hats and teasing new music signings.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dame Dash (@duskopoppington)

According to court docs filed by Webber’s attorney Christopher Brown, Dash was supposed to turn in copyright info and links to his films by August 7, 2025.

That never happened. So now, Brown wants Dash dragged into court on August 13 to explain himself—preferably in handcuffs.

“Instead of complying with this Court’s Order, Dash is posting on social media about his ‘lake life’ and ‘bucket hats’, along with having the audacity to post that Mr. Dash has signed the ‘White Lesbian Aaliyah’ to Blueroc Records,” Brown told U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Lehrburger.

That eccentric artist signing Aaliyah comparison came from Dash’s appearance on The Art of Dialogue, where he made the eyebrow-raising claim.

This whole legal chaos started over the 2019 film Dear Frank. Dash got booted from the project but still claimed ownership, which led to a defamation and copyright lawsuit.

After skipping court deadlines and trashing Webber on a podcast, Dash got hit with a $4 million default judgment in 2025.

To collect, the judge approved selling off Dash’s shares in Dash Films Inc., Bluroc LLC, Blakroc LLC and several of his film copyrights. Dash had already sold his Roc-A-Fella stake, but it wasn’t enough to cover his legal obligations due to a massive tax bill and back child support.

Judge Lehrburger gave Dash until July 10 to cough up ownership certificates for his companies and copyrights so the U.S. Marshal could start auctioning off his assets. Dash handed in some paperwork but never delivered the key film copyrights or digital files.

Dash’s lawyer, Natraj S. Bhushan, claimed the missing stuff would be turned in by August 7. That deadline came and went. Now Webber and his team are done playing nice.

“Mr. Dash’s disrespect for this Court’s orders has been plentiful throughout the years. In light of this noncompliance, Plaintiffs respectfully request that an arrest warrant issue for Mr. Dash,” Christopher Brown said.

Brown wants the judge to force Dash to show up in person on August 13 at 10 A.M. and explain why he’s dragging his feet—again.

​AllHipHop

Gunna might not be shouting from the rooftops but his recent moves suggest he’s feeling like the king of Atlanta right now. Snitch labels do not stop a person from taking the crown in 2025.

The same rapper who was publicly dragged through the mud for allegedly cooperating with authorities during the YSL RICO case is now riding high. A new album, crazy streaming numbers and dumb radio rotation. Gunna seems unfazed by the streets’ cold shoulder. He might be quietly taking aim at his former ally and label boss Young Thug.

Check this out: “We was pushin p now I’m pushing the bar, I came out of jail hotter ain’t that ironic/You might as well stayed in the box/You fell through the floor when you got out…Tried to web up Wunna but I’m cutting through spiders, your drip dated while I’m walking the runway…”

And while nothing in his lyrics spells out Young Thug’s name directly, it’s clear clear who he is talking about.

“Rap beefs aren’t what they used to be,” someone wrote me in a DM. “Gone are the days of ‘Ether,’ ‘Takeover’ or ‘’No Vaseline.’ Now we get whispers and vague IG captions.”

I don’t see the wrong in this assessment.

READ ALSO: Gunna Drops “The Last Wun”: Possible Farewell From YSL Records

Gunna’s latest track doesn’t throw jabs in the classic diss record style. But we can feel the confidence. He’s rising fast, releasing records that bump in clubs and flood playlists. Young Thug’s comeback hasn’t landed as expected. His latest project, dropped under the weight of ongoing legal pressure. Don’t get it messed up – Thug remains a towering figure in Atlanta’s rap legacy.

The legal cloud still hanging over Young Thug makes a crazy return tougher. He’s still the heart and founder of YSL, still respected, still feared. But we know he’s super legal and law-abiding too. This is the music business! Perception is often more powerful than history.

Meanwhile, Gunna is sliding through chaos with his head high. Not mad at him. He went through a lot too. He’s got a fanbase that hasn’t turned its back on him. Ever since 6ix9ine somehow slithered back into relevancy post-snitch scandal, the idea of “rats” ruining rap careers seems outdated to younger audiences.

This is the content era. Back in the day, it was “snitches get stitches.” But today, a great song gets you back.

Young Thug’s silence is odd. While it is early, he’s yet to respond. Not even an ominous tweet. He might have to chill.

For now, Gunna may be leading in the charts, but the story of Thug-n-Gunna is far from over.

One thing’s for sure: Atlanta is watching.

​AllHipHop

Malcolm-Jamal Warner was remembered by his mother in a heartfelt tribute Friday (August 7) following his death last month in a drowning accident off the coast of Costa Rica.

Pamela Warner, speaking publicly for the first time since her son’s passing, shared a deeply personal message on social media, writing, “Needless to say our hearts are heavy with the loss of Malcolm.”

The Emmy-nominated actor, known for his role on The Cosby Show, died last month while swimming at a well-known beach in Costa Rica. He was 53. His mother confirmed he “did not suffer.”

“For those of you who are at a loss, pained by the suddenness of his departure, ache for his presence or just to hear his voice one more time, to see his beatific smile one more time, be comforted that he was at peace and more importantly, he did not suffer,” she wrote.

Pamela described her son as a man of depth and compassion, saying, “He was a kind, loving man with a huge heart for humanity. He wanted all to be aware of their inner strength and that they could succeed, accomplish and transform. This was his latest mission and work, transformation, in order for you to be fully present in your life.”

She also reflected on his devotion to family and artistry. “Malcolm was an exceptional husband, father, and son — a man deeply in love with life, his wife, and his daughter. He was not only my son, but also my teacher, coach, confidant, business partner, and best friend. He was the son that his father was immensely proud of and loved fiercely and unconditionally.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Malcolm-Jamal Warner Living Legacy (@mjwlivinglegacy)

Warner’s creative journey extended beyond acting. Pamela noted that he began playing bass at 26, later forming his own band, Miles Long. He released four albums, earned two Grammy nominations and won one Grammy Award.

“He was in love with the magic of being an actor, always studying and honing his craft,” she said. “At eight years old, after his first stage performance, he declared that being onstage was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. It became a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

Pamela closed her message with a poetic reflection on his life and passing: “Malcolm was birthed through water and he transitioned through water. He departed as he arrived, through water. This was his time. His mission on earth had been completed.”

She added, “Hold close to whatever part of Malcolm’s life that touched yours. In keeping it near, you keep his spirit alive — nourishing you with the peace, love, joy and light that embodied Malcolm-Jamal Warner.”

​AllHipHop

Damon Dash addressed his viral dental disaster and laid out his upcoming surgery plans during a new interview aired Wednesday (August 6) on Art of Dialogue, revealing the painful truth behind the moment that had social media in stitches last year.

The Hip-Hop mogul explained the backstory behind the now-infamous Instagram Live clip where his grill unexpectedly dropped mid-sentence while responding to 50 Cent, sparking a wave of memes and online jokes. But according to Dash, the situation was far from cosmetic—it was medical.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Watch Live Bitez (@livebitez)

“So 20 years ago, I got titanium implants,” Dash explained. “It cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars. I was in my 20s. They’re not supposed to break. Five of them broke. Snapped. So now they have to break bone in — pause — my mouth, take the implants out, put new bone in there, and put five f###### implants in.”

The 54-year-old entrepreneur said he delayed the procedure due to his workload and health concerns.

“I’mma do it in September,” he added. “But I just had a lot of work to do, and I didn’t want to be that f##### up. I didn’t know how I was going to heal cuz I’m diabetic. But I’m going to get it fixed now.”

The viral moment, which happened earlier in 2024, led to widespread speculation and ridicule.

Still, Dash issued a warning to those who laughed a little too hard. “When I get my teeth right, then I’mma really get at everybody.”

Damon Dash Laughs Off Viral Mishap

Dash clarified at the time that the teeth weren’t dentures but part of a long-term dental implant system that requires replacement every two decades. He was simply caught between procedures.

Despite the online mockery, Dash maintained a sense of humor about the ordeal.

He even joked that the incident helped draw attention to the more serious topics he was discussing during the livestream. “I was praying my teeth would fall out so people would talk about the important points I was making,” he said.

​AllHipHop

Diddy’s legal team is tripping over their own words—one lawyer says they never hollered at Donald Trump for a pardon, while another one swears they did.

Marc Agnifilo, Diddy’s main legal mouthpiece, told CBS News flat-out, “I have nothing to do with a possible pardon. I have had conversations with nobody. I have not spoken to the president. I have not spoken to anybody who speaks to the president about Sean Combs. I have not.”

But hold up—Attorney Nicole Westmoreland, who’s also on Diddy’s team, told CNN something totally different. “It’s my understanding that we’ve reached out and had conversations in reference to a pardon,” she said.

So either someone’s confused, or this team isn’t on the same page. Meanwhile, Trump’s been flippin’ back and forth too.

Earlir this year, Donald Trump said he’d “certainly look at the facts” and revealed he would consider a pardon for Diddy.

But last week, he cooled off on the idea during a Newsmax interview, saying, “I was very friendly with him, I got along with him great, and he seemed like a nice guy. I didn’t know him well, but when I ran for office, he was very hostile.”

So at this point, nobody knows if a pardon’s even on the table—or if Diddy’s people are even asking for one.

For now, Diddy’s looking at a possible 20-year bid after getting hit with two convictions tied to prostitution.

The jury cleared him of the worst charges like sex trafficking and racketeering, but two of the transportation of prostitutes across state lines in violation of the Mann Act counts stuck.

Diddy heads back to court on October 3 for sentencing. Prosecutors are only asking for about 4.5 years, although the judge has the discretion to send the disgraced mogul to prison for as many as twenty years.

​AllHipHop

Teyana Taylor revealed she’s undergoing emergency surgery in Los Angeles to remove a benign growth from her vocal cords, forcing her to step away from public appearances as she focuses on recovery.

She broke the news through her Instagram Story, telling followers, “I’ve been quietly dealing with some vocal challenges for a while now,” and that doctors “found a noncancerous growth on one of my chords that’s been messing with my voice and causing real discomfort.”

Although the diagnosis is not life-threatening, the 34-year-old said it requires immediate attention and rest.

“Thankfully, we caught it and it’s treatable, but it does mean I need to pause and give myself time to fully heal,” she wrote. As a result, Taylor has pulled out of her scheduled appearance on Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson’s IMO podcast.

However, she confirmed that the release date for her upcoming album, Escape Room, remains unchanged. The project is still set to drop on August 22.

Describing the album as deeply personal, Teyana Taylor shared, “It’s the most personal body of work I’ve ever created. Just as I was getting ready to finally share this with you, life handed me my own unexpected ‘escape room,’ one I didn’t ask for, but one I now have to find my way out of with patience, rest, and faith.”

Despite the setback, Taylor remains optimistic about her comeback.

“I can’t wait to be on the other side of this – stronger, softer, and singing again,” she wrote. “I’ll be back with even more fire, more purpose, and the best version of me.”

Escape Room will be Taylor’s fourth studio album and her first major release since retiring from music in 2020.

​AllHipHop

Al B. Sure was ready to tell all about Diddy and drop some heavy claims in his upcoming memoir, but now the whole thing’s been iced by his publisher and his lawyer’s screaming possible sabotage.

The book, titled Do You Believe Me Now?, was supposed to be Al’s no-holds-barred story—loaded with wild accusations about Diddy, questions surrounding Kim Porter’s death and even claims that someone tried to take him out.

But according to his lawyer Robert J. Hantman, Simon & Schuster wanted more dirt on Diddy than Al was comfortable dishing.

“Simon & Schuster wanted him to include more stuff about P. Diddy, but he didn’t really want to go there,” Hantman told Page Six.

The publisher hit pause on the release after creative differences over how deep Al was willing to go in talking about Diddy. That’s when things started getting weird.

Earlier this year, Al claimed his life was in danger over what he knew.

“If you actually knew what they did to me, there was a bounty on my head,” he said.

He also hinted that his health scare wasn’t by chance and might’ve been linked to Diddy’s circle. “I believe this to be the case. Yes. Absolutely. My first time saying it,” Al said. “Remember, I’m the only one who spoke up and I’m the only one left alive.”

Al B. Sure also alleged that Diddy paid off media outlets to kill stories about Kim Porter’s passing and has been trying to silence him for years. He even questioned the legitimacy of Porter’s posthumous memoir and called for a deeper investigation into her death.

Now Al’s legal team is digging into whether someone behind the scenes tried to tank his book deal on purpose.

“If someone interfered we’re going to investigate. We’ll speak to Bo Dietl. We’re thinking of getting Bo Dietl to investigate,” Hantman said.

For those who don’t know, Bo Dietl is a former NYPD detective turned private investigator/actor/podcaster.

He’s worked on everything from high-profile criminal cases to corporate investigations, and he’s been linked to multiple celebrity and political scandals over the years, in addition to having roles in movies like Goodfellas, The Wolf of Wall Street and The Irishman.

Al’s book was meant to be a complete look into his life—from music to medical battles—but it sounds like the publisher was way more focused on the Diddy drama than Al’s actual story.

​AllHipHop